Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey walks off the field after losing 2-1 to Toronto FC in an MLS soccer match on Saturday, March 15, 2014, in Seattle.The Associated Press
Seattle Sounders star striker Clint Dempsey has been suspended two games for "violent conduct" against Toronto FC defender Mark Bloom.
The incident happened off the ball in the 40th minute of Toronto's 2-1 win in Seattle last Saturday. Dempsey swung an arm and caught Bloom in the groin.
The U.S. international forward was also fined an undisclosed amount.
The MLS disciplinary committee also suspended Chicago Fire defender Lovel Palmer for two games and fined him an undisclosed amount for violent conduct toward Portland Timbers forward Maximiliano Urruti last weekend.
Both Dempsey and Palmer submitted appeals that were turned down.
Montreal Impact midfielder Justin Mapp was also fined an undisclosed amount for simulation in a game against the Houston Dynamo.
New York Red Bulls defender Armando was banned one game and fined an undisclosed amount for serious foul play against Colorado Rapids forward Deshorn Brown.
Prior to the start of the season, the league's board of governors approved a policy stating that any player receiving a red card for violent conduct or adjudged unanimously by the discipline committee to be an unequivocal red card for violent conduct will be automatically suspended for at least two games and be fined.